We first got in touch with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce back in 2019, when we were feeling a bit stuck with where to take the business next. That’s when we met Andrea – and honestly, we’ve never looked back. Since then, she has been a lifeline for us. She helped us secure vgrant funding, for upgrading the hotel, and get to get a brand-new website. But more than that, she gave us the kind of advice that actually works – down-to-earth, straight-talking, and tailored exactly to what we needed. With her help, we’ve brought in a channel manager, kicked off some proper digital marketing, and given the business a real boost. We've seen year-on-year growth, and we’re now in a stronger, more confident place than ever before. We're ahead of the game, with the right tools, and a clear plan for the future. Andrea just gets it. She’s not only brilliant at what she does – she’s also open , trustworthy, and really easy to talk to. We’re so grateful for everything she’s done, and we’d happily recommend her to any business that needs a fresh perspective and a bit of a push.

As a Christian retreat centre, Rydal Hall has always focused on providing a place of peace, reflection, and restoration. However, following the challenges of the Covid pandemic, we faced significant hurdles in business development and operational sustainability. At that critical time, we were introduced to Andrea, the Hospitality Counsellor through Cumbria Chamber of commerce. Her support in revenue management helped us regain our footing during an uncertain period. Her insight was so impactful that we invited her to join our board—a decision that has proved invaluable. Since then, she has worked closely with us, providing clear, pragmatic advice across all areas of our operation. From steering us through industry standards in health and safety, HR, and compliance, to shaping our approach in sales, marketing, and revenue growth—her contributions have been practical, strategic, and deeply appreciated. Her experience in the hospitality sector has brought a level of professionalism and structure that we would have struggled to achieve alone. Thanks to her ongoing guidance, we are now a more confident, compliant, and sustainable organisation. We are incredibly grateful for her continued support. Quite simply, we would not be where we are today without her.

We first met Andrea when she was just starting out with The Hospitality Counsellor and we were launching The Howard Arms here in Brampton. Since then, she’s been our go-to person for advice on everything from finance and marketing to grant funding and building our team. Her support has played a big part in helping us grow the business into what it is today. What makes Andrea stand out is how well she understands the hospitality industry and how down-to-earth and practical her advice always is. She really takes the time to get to know you and your business, and her guidance is always tailored, thoughtful, and easy to put into action. Whether we’re facing a big decision or just need a bit of clarity, she’s the first person we turn to. Working with Andrea has made a real difference—not just to the business, but to us personally as well. She’s helped us build confidence, solve problems, and keep moving forward with purpose. We can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone in hospitality looking for honest, expert support from someone who truly gets it.

When I returned to the UK from New Zealand, I saw a real opportunity to diversify our family farm to create something more sustainable for the future. But turning vision into reality isn’t easy — that’s where the Hospitality Counsellor became absolutely invaluable. From the very beginning, Andrea understood not just my ideas, but the bigger picture — how everything from business planning and funding, to operations and practical delivery, needed to work in harmony. Their clarity and collaborative approach meant I always felt supported and empowered to take the next step with confidence. Over many hours of one-to-one support — all fully funded through Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Cumbria — I was able to move from initial yoga classes, to launching a camping offering, and finally securing funding to develop our full retreat centre. What started as one idea is now on its way to being three thriving arms of a sustainable, wellness-focused business. The Hospitality Counsellor has been my trusted advisor every step of the way — the person I go to for guidance, insight, and practical answers. They didn’t just help me build a business — they helped shape a future I truly believe in. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without their expert support and encouragement.

Andrea worked with us at first to raise the performance of our housekeeping, quickly wilnnng the admiration and acceptance of our team. Subsequently, Andrea quickly grasped our distinctive position in the hospitality market and led us to several very valuable improvements in both occupancy and margin.